JP2009293111A - Hard film layer and its forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hard film layer which is crystalline without any crack, and has both high hardness and excellent wear resistance, and its forming method. <P>SOLUTION: The crystalline hard film layer 3 for covering a base material 2 is formed of the PVD method, and consists of Si and C as essential components, and an element M [one or more elements selected from the elements of 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and B, Al and Ru] and N as selective components, and has the composition of Si<SB>x</SB>C<SB>1-x-y-z</SB>N<SB>y</SB>M<SB>z</SB>(0.4≤x≤0.6, 0≤y≤0.1, 0≤z≤0.2). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hard coating layer used for applications requiring excellent wear resistance, such as cutting tools and sliding members, and a method for forming the same.

Since SiC (silicon carbide) has a high hardness of 40 GPa or more in bulk ceramics and is excellent in oxidation resistance and wear resistance, application to cutting tools and the like is expected (for example, Patent Document 1). Non-Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a SiC film layer is formed on the surface of a base material by exciting cluster ions from a SiC sintered body by RF magnetron sputtering or the like and depositing the generated cluster ions on the base material. In Non-Patent Document 1, an SiC film layer is formed by a magnetron sputter ion plating method.
JP 2007-90483 A (paragraphs [0031], [0035], Examples 1 and 2) Knotek et al., “Amorphous SiC PVD Coatings”, Diamond and Related Materials, 2 (1993), pp528-530

  However, since the SiC film layer disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1 is amorphous, hardness and wear resistance are not sufficient. Non-Patent Document 1 describes that an amorphous SiC film layer is crystallized by being heat-treated at a high temperature. However, Non-Patent Document 1 describes that when a SiC film layer is crystallized, there is a problem that cracks occur in the SiC film layer. An SiC film layer having such cracks cannot be put to practical use.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hard coating layer that does not generate cracks and has both high hardness and excellent wear resistance, and a method for forming the same.

  As a result of intensive studies on the above problems, the inventors have found that a crystalline SiC film can be formed without generating cracks by controlling the film formation conditions of the PVD method. It came to complete. In the present invention, “crystalline” means that the half width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° when X-ray diffraction (XRD) is performed using CuKα rays is 3 ° or less. It is not limited to those that can be regarded substantially as SiC crystals, but includes those in which SiC crystals and amorphous SiC are present to form a composite structure.

That is, the hard coating layer according to claim 1 of the present invention is a hard coating layer formed by the PVD method and covering a predetermined substrate,
Si and C are essential components, and element M [one or more elements selected from Group 3A, Group 4A, Group 5A, Group 6A, B, Al, and Ru] and N are selected. As a component, it has a composition of Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2), When X-ray diffraction is performed using CuKα rays, the half width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° is 3 ° or less.

  Thus, by making the hard film layer which coat | covers a base material into a crystalline SiC film layer, the hardness of a hard film layer is improved greatly and the outstanding abrasion resistance is obtained. By adding N in the specified range to the hard coating layer, only the Young's modulus of the hard coating layer can be reduced while maintaining the hardness of the hard coating layer. Thereby, the amount of elastic deformation when an external stress is applied to the hard coating layer increases, and the occurrence of cracks and the like in the hard coating layer is suppressed. In addition, since the element M is strongly bonded to C and N, which are non-metallic elements, the hardness of the hard coating layer can be increased by adding the element M to the hard coating layer within the specified range. .

The hard coating layer according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the hard coating layer according to claim 1, the crystal structure of Si _x C _1-xyZ N _y M _z belongs to a cubic system. To do.

  According to such a configuration, the hardness of the hard coating layer can be further increased.

A hard coating layer according to claim 3 of the present invention is formed by a PVD method, and has a structure in which at least one first coating layer and at least one second coating layer are alternately laminated, 1 film layer is formed on the surface of a predetermined substrate, and is a hard film layer covering the substrate,
The first coating layer contains one or more elements selected from Group 4A elements, 5A group elements and 6A group elements as essential components, and one or more elements selected from Group 3A elements, Si, Al and B Consisting of nitrides, carbonitrides or carbides containing
The second coating layer contains Si and C as essential components, and one or more elements selected from the elements M [3A group element, 4A group element, 5A group element, 6A group element, B, Al and Ru. Element] and N as selective components, Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2) ), And the half width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° when X-ray diffraction is performed using CuKα rays is 3 ° or less.

  The compound which comprises a 1st membrane | film | coat layer is excellent in adhesiveness with a base material compared with a 2nd membrane | film layer. Therefore, by setting it as such a structure, the adhesiveness of a base material and a hard film layer is improved. Moreover, since the first coating layer is higher in hardness than cemented carbide and high-speed tool steel used in ordinary cutting tools, when the hard coating layer according to the present invention is applied to a cutting tool, By having the first coating layer, the deformation of the substrate with respect to external force is reduced. Thereby, the crack and peeling of the whole hard coating layer are suppressed, and the outstanding durability is obtained. Further, when the hard coating layer has a multilayer structure having two or more first coating layers and second coating layers, the entire hard coating layer is introduced by introducing an interface structure inside the hard coating layer. The hardness of is increased.

  In the present invention, the invention according to claim 4 and claim 5 is a method for forming a hard film layer according to claims 1 and 2 and a second film layer constituting the hard film layer according to claim 3. It is also a formation method.

That is, in the method for forming a hard coating layer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, Si _x C _{1-xz y} N _y M _z [0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2, and the element M is one or more selected from 3A group elements, 4A group elements, 5A group elements, 6A group elements, B, Al, and Ru. Element] and a hard coating layer in which the half width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° is 3 ° or less when X-ray diffraction is performed using CuKα rays. A way to
Holding the base material at a predetermined temperature of 400 to 800 ° C., and applying and holding a predetermined bias voltage of −30 to −300 V to the base material;
The hard coating layer is formed on the surface of the substrate by a PVD method.

  According to such a method, since the film is formed by the PVD method while the base material is maintained at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined bias voltage is applied, high hardness can be obtained without generating cracks. A crystalline hard coating layer can be formed.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention uses a magnetron sputtering method as the PVD method, and has the effects described above, that is, the effect of suppressing the generation of cracks and the formation of a crystalline hard coating layer having high hardness. Remarkably can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is a method for forming a first coating layer constituting the hard coating layer according to claim 3. That is, in the method for forming a hard coating layer according to claim 6 of the present invention, one or more elements selected from the group 4A element, the group 5A element and the group 6A element are formed before the formation of the hard coating layer. Is formed as an essential component, and another hard coating layer made of nitride, carbonitride, or carbide containing at least one element selected from Group 3A elements, Si, Al and B as a selected component is formed. It is characterized by. Here, “another hard coating layer” corresponds to the first coating layer.

  According to such a method, it is possible to form another hard coating layer (first coating layer) having excellent adhesion to the substrate.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for forming a hard coating layer according to the sixth aspect, the film formation of another hard coating layer and the film formation of the hard coating layer are alternately performed a plurality of times. Features.

  According to such a method, since a lot of interface structures are introduced into the hard coating layer, a hard coating layer with higher hardness can be formed.

  According to the hard coating layer according to the first and second aspects, since there is no crack and the SiC coating layer having high hardness is formed on the base material, excellent wear resistance can be obtained. According to the hard coating layer of the third aspect, the first coating layer is formed on the surface of the substrate, and the SiC coating layer having high hardness is formed as the second coating layer on the first coating layer. As a result, a hard coating layer having excellent adhesion can be obtained. Moreover, the hardness of the whole hard coating layer can be further raised by setting it as the structure provided with the 1st coating layer and the 2nd coating layer 2 or more each.

  According to the method for forming each hard coating layer according to claims 4 and 5, it is possible to form a crystalline hard coating layer having high hardness and excellent wear resistance without generating cracks. According to the method for forming a hard coating layer according to claim 6, by forming another hard coating layer as the first coating layer, it is possible to form a hard coating layer having excellent adhesion to the substrate. According to the method for forming a hard coating layer according to claim 7, it is possible to form a hard coating layer having a higher hardness by forming a multilayer structure including a plurality of hard coating layers and different hard coating layers. it can.

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a member provided with a hard coating layer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This member 1 </ b> A has a structure in which the surface of the substrate 2 is covered with the hard coating layer 3.
As the base material 2, a metal material such as an iron-based alloy or a cemented carbide, cermet, or ceramic is preferably used. When the member 1A is used as a cutting tool, a cemented carbide is particularly preferably used as the base material 2.

The hard coating layer 3 has a single layer structure. The hard coating layer 3 includes Si (silicon) and C (carbon) as essential components, and N (nitrogen) and the element M as selective components, and Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z (0 4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2). The element M is one or more elements selected from the group 3A elements, group 4A elements, group 5A elements, group 6A elements, B, Al, and Ru in the periodic table.

The hard coating layer 3 is crystalline. Here, “crystalline” means a half-width (FWHM: Full) of a SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle (2θ) of 34 to 36 ° when X-ray diffraction (XRD) is performed using CuKα rays. Width Half Maximum) is 3 ° or less, not limited to those that can be substantially regarded as SiC crystals, and those in which SiC crystals and amorphous SiC are present to form a composite structure Including. Specifically, the peak observed at the diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° corresponds to the peak of the [111] plane of cubic SiC. Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z as the hard coating layer 3 exhibits high hardness when the crystal structure belongs to a cubic system.

Therefore, in order to make the hard coating layer 3 crystalline, the atomic ratio x of Si is set to 0.4 or more and 0.6 or less. N is added to the hard coating layer 3 as necessary. N is dissolved in Si _x C _1-x and occupies the C site. By setting the atomic ratio y of N to 0 <y ≦ 0.1 and the composition of the hard coating layer 3 to Si _x C _1-xy N _y , while maintaining the hardness of the hard coating layer 3, Young Only the rate can be reduced. When the Young's modulus of the hard coating layer 3 is reduced, the amount of elastic deformation when an external stress is applied to the hard coating layer 3 increases, so that the occurrence of cracks in the hard coating layer 3 is suppressed. When the atomic ratio y of N exceeds 0.1, the hard coating layer 3 becomes amorphous, and thus the hardness decreases. Therefore, the atomic ratio y when adding N is set to 0.1 or less. The atomic ratio y of N is preferably 0.05 or less.

The element M is strongly bonded to C and N which are nonmetallic elements. The hardness of the hard coating layer 3 can be increased by setting the atomic ratio z of the element M to 0 <z ≦ 0.2 and setting the composition of the hard coating layer 3 to Si _x C _1-xz M _z. it can. If the atomic ratio z of the element M exceeds 0.2, the hardness of the hard coating layer 3 decreases. Therefore, the atomic ratio z when adding the element M is set to 0.2 or less. The atomic ratio z of the element M is preferably 0.05 or less. Among the elements M, preferable elements include B, Cr, V, and Ti. Among them, B is most preferable.

By adding both N and the element M to Si _x C _1-x and setting the composition of the hard coating layer 3 to Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z , the effect of adding N described above And the effect of adding the element M can be obtained. In Si _x C _1-xy-Z N _y M _z , the total amount (y + z) of the atomic ratio y of N and the atomic ratio z of element M maintains the hard coating layer 3 in the crystal structure of cubic SiC. From the viewpoint, it is preferably 0.1 or less.

  The thickness of the hard coating layer 3 is appropriately determined according to the use of the member 1A. For example, when the member 1A is used as a cutting tool such as a tip, a drill, or an end mill, the thickness of the hard coating layer 3 is preferably 0.5 μm or more. Further, when the member 1A is used as a tool such as a casting mold or a punch, the thickness of the hard coating layer 3 is preferably 1 μm or more. Considering the film formation process described below, the thickness of the hard coating layer 3 is preferably 5 μm or less from the viewpoint of improving productivity.

  The hard coating layer 3 is formed using the PVD method using the component of the composition. In the PVD method, a target made of a predetermined component is always used. Here, it is not necessary for the target to contain all of the components constituting the hard coating layer 3, and some components can be supplied to the processing atmosphere as a gas. “Using the component of the composition” means that the component of the composition is contained in the sputtering target or gas.

  As the PVD method, for example, cathode discharge type arc ion plating using a SiC target, reactive deposition in which Si is dissolved and evaporated in a hydrocarbon atmosphere, etc. can be used. From the viewpoint of promoting crystallization of the coating layer 3, magnetron sputtering, particularly unbalanced magnetron sputtering is preferably used. The unbalanced magnetron sputtering intentionally breaks the balance of the magnet provided on the back surface of the sputter target and enhances the ion irradiation to the substrate 2. Hereinafter, the film forming method will be described by taking magnetron sputtering as an example.

In magnetron sputtering for forming the hard coating layer 3, a sputter target including at least Si, which is an essential component, among the components of Si _x C _1-xyZ N _y M _z that is the composition of the hard coating layer 3. Is used. As a component source of other components not included in the sputtering target containing at least Si, another sputtering target or gas is used. When one or both of C and N is contained in a sputtering target containing at least Si, a gas containing C or a gas containing N may be used in combination. The outline of the magnetron sputtering apparatus suitably used for forming the hard coating layer 3 will be described in detail in Examples described later.

A specific example in which the crystalline hard coating layer 3 having a composition of Si _x C _1-x (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6) is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 will be described. First, the base material 2 is maintained at a predetermined temperature in the range of 400 to 800 ° C. in a predetermined reduced pressure atmosphere, and a predetermined bias voltage in the range of −30 to −300 V is applied to the base material 2. Hold. In this state, the hard coating layer 3 is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 by magnetron sputtering using a sintered body having a Si _x C _1-x composition as a sputtering target.

When the hard coating layer 3 is formed, if the temperature of the substrate 2 is less than 400 ° C., an amorphous Si _x C _1-x film layer is easily formed. On the other hand, when the temperature of the base material 2 exceeds 800 ° C., there is a high possibility that the base material 2 is thermally degraded. Therefore, the temperature of the base material 2 is maintained at a predetermined temperature in the range of 400 to 800 ° C. From the viewpoint of promoting crystallization of the hard coating layer 3, the temperature of the substrate 2 is preferably set to 500 ° C. or higher. Moreover, it is preferable to make the temperature of the base material 2 700 degrees C or less from a viewpoint of suppressing the thermal deterioration of the base material 2. FIG.

When the absolute value of the bias voltage applied to the base material 2 is less than 30 V, ions generated by magnetron sputtering cannot be accelerated enough to collide with the base material 2. In this case, an amorphous Si _x C _1-x film layer is easily formed. On the other hand, when a bias voltage exceeding 300 V in absolute value is applied, the ion bombardment during film formation is too strong, so that the formed Si _x C _1-x film layer becomes amorphous and soft, and When the temperature of the material 2 rises or the etching action by ions becomes strong, problems such as a decrease in film formation rate occur.

When the hard coating layer 3 having the composition of Si _x C _1-x is formed, it is not always necessary to use a sintered body having the composition of Si _x C _1-x as the sputtering target. For example, only a sputtering target made of Si is used, and a gas containing carbon (for example, acetylene (C ₂ H ₂ ), methane (CH ₄ ), etc.) is supplied as a C source to the sputter processing atmosphere, You may go.

Even when the sputtering target contains all components, magnetron sputtering can be performed by supplying a gas containing a specific component to the sputtering treatment atmosphere. According to such a method, the hard coating layer 3 having a composition different from the composition of the sputter target can be formed. For example, a sintered body having a composition of SiC (x = 0.5 in Si _x C _1-x ) is used as a sputtering target, and a gas containing carbon is supplied as a C source to a sputtering treatment atmosphere, and magnetron sputtering is performed. Do. Thereby, the hard coating layer 3 having a composition of Si _x C _1-x (0.4 ≦ x <0.5) can be formed.

As a method of forming the hard coating layer 3 having a composition of Si _x C _1-xy N _y (0 <y ≦ 0.1) by adding N, for example, Si _x C ₁₋ There is a method of performing magnetron sputtering using an _xy N _y sintered body. Further, it is also possible to use a method of performing magnetron sputtering by using a SiC sintered body as a sputtering target and supplying N ₂ gas as an N source to the processing atmosphere. Further, there is a method of performing magnetron sputtering by using a sputtering target made of Si and supplying a gas containing carbon as a C source and N ₂ gas as an N source to a processing atmosphere.

As a method of adding the element M and forming the hard coating layer 3 having a composition of Si _x C _{1-x Mz} (0 <z ≦ 0.2), for example, Si _x C ₁ as a sputtering target. using _{-x-z M z} sintered body, there is a method of performing magnetron sputtering. Further, a sputter target composed of Si _x C _1-x sintered body using sputtering targets simultaneously made of the element M, it may be carried out magnetron sputtering. Further, there is a method of performing magnetron sputtering by using a sputtering target made of Si and a sputtering target made of element M and supplying a gas containing carbon as a C source to the processing atmosphere.

A crystalline hard coating layer having a composition of Si _x C _1-xz-y N _y M _z (0 <y ≦ 0.1, 0 <z ≦ 0.2) by adding N and element M 3 is formed by, for example, supplying the N ₂ gas as the N source to the processing atmosphere in the above-described film forming method of Si _x C _1-xz M _z (0 <z ≦ 0.2). And a method of performing magnetron sputtering. _Further, the _{Si x C 1-x-z} -y N y M z sintered body used as a sputtering target, it may be carried out magnetron sputtering.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 1B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a member provided with a hard coating layer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This member 1 </ b> B has a structure in which the surface of the substrate 2 is covered with the hard coating layer 6. The hard coating layer 6 has a two-layer structure including a first coating layer 4 formed on the surface of the substrate 2 and a second coating layer 5 provided on the first coating layer 4.

  The base material 2 constituting the member 1B is the same as the base material 2 constituting the above-described member 1A (FIG. 1A). The second coating layer 5 constituting the hard coating layer 6 is substantially the same as the hard coating layer 3 constituting the above-described member 1A (FIG. 1A). That is, the member 1B can be considered as a configuration in which a layer corresponding to the first coating layer 4 is interposed between the base material 2 and the hard coating layer 3 constituting the member 1A. Here, detailed descriptions of the base material 2 and the second coating layer 5 are omitted.

  The first coating layer 4 includes one or more elements selected from 4A group elements, 5A group elements and 6A group elements as essential components, and one or more elements selected from 3A group elements, Si, Al and B. It consists of nitride, carbonitride, or carbide containing these elements as selective components. Such a first coating layer 4 exhibits better adhesion to the substrate 2 than the second coating layer 5. Further, the second coating layer 5 has better adhesion to the first coating layer 4 than to the substrate 2. Therefore, the hard coating layer 6 exhibits excellent adhesion to the substrate 2 by providing the first coating layer 4 on the surface of the substrate 2. That is, the member 1B can be said to be a member having improved adhesion between the base material 2 and the hard coating layer 3 in the member 1A. Cutting tools, jigs, and friction materials to which the configuration of the member 1B is applied show excellent durability.

  The first coating layer 4 is preferably a nitride having one or more of Ti and Cr as essential components and one or more selected from Y, Al and Si as selective components. Specifically, the first coating layer 4 is preferably one of TiN, CrN, TiC, TiAlN, CrAlN, TiCrAlN, TiCrAlSiN, TiAlSiN, and TiCrAlSiYN. Among these, CrN, TiAlN, CrAlN, TiCrAlN, TiCrAlSiN, TiAlSiN, and TiCrAlSiYN containing Cr or Al are suitable for application to a cutting tool. The reason is that when the first coating layer 4 is made of a compound of Ti and a selective component and does not contain Al, the oxidation resistance is lowered, and the cutting performance is deteriorated by oxidation due to high temperature during cutting. It is because it falls.

  If the thickness of the first coating layer 4 is too thin, the effect of improving the adhesion to the substrate 2 is not substantially obtained. Therefore, the thickness of the first coating layer 4 is preferably 5 nm or more. When only one layer of the first coating layer 4 is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 and only one layer of the second coating layer 5 is formed on the first coating layer 4 as in the member 1B, the first coating layer is formed. The thickness of the layer 4 is preferably 1 μm or more, and more preferably 2 μm or more. When the thickness of the first coating layer 4 exceeds 7 μm, the first coating layer 4 is easily peeled by the stress of the first coating layer 4 itself. Therefore, the thickness of the first coating layer 4 is preferably 7 μm or less. The thickness of the second coating layer 5 conforms to the thickness of the hard coating layer 3 formed on the member 1A.

Arc ion plating using a target having the composition of the first coating layer 4 is suitably used for forming the first coating layer 4 on the surface of the substrate 2. On the first coating layer 4 thus formed, a Si _x C _{1-xz y} N _y M _z film layer as the second coating layer 5 is formed by magnetron sputtering. At this time, it is preferable to use a film forming apparatus capable of selectively performing magnetron sputtering and arc ion plating on the base material 2 placed in the chamber. When such a film forming apparatus is used, the second film layer 5 can be formed without moving the base material 2 after the first film layer 4 is formed, so that productivity is improved. The first coating layer 4 can be formed by a CVD method.

<< Third Embodiment >>
FIG. 1 (c) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a member provided with a hard coating layer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This member 1 </ b> C has a structure in which the surface of the substrate 2 is covered with the hard coating layer 7. The hard coating layer 7 has a multilayer structure in which the first coating layers 4 and the second coating layers 5 are alternately stacked. The first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 constituting the hard coating layer 7 are substantially the same as the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 constituting the hard coating layer 6 formed on the member 1B, respectively. Are the same. On the surface of the substrate 2, the first coating layer 4 having excellent adhesion to the substrate 2 is formed. Since the composition, crystal structure, selected material, and the like for each of the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 have been described above, description thereof is omitted here.

  “Multilayer structure” means that the total number of layers of the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 is three or more. When the member 1C is applied to a cutting tool, it is preferable to form the second coating layer 5 having excellent wear resistance as a surface layer. Therefore, in the hard coating layer 7, the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 2 are substantially formed. The total number of the coating layers 5 is preferably an even number of 4 or more. Since the hard coating layer 7 has a structure in which many interface structures are introduced therein, the hardness is further increased and the wear resistance is improved. Therefore, the cutting tool using the member 1C shows excellent durability.

  Each thickness of the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 is preferably sufficiently smaller than the total thickness of the hard coating layer 7. By forming many interface structures in the hard coating layer 7, the hardness can be increased. The thicknesses of the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 are each preferably in the range of 5 to 500 nm, and more preferably in the range of 10 to 30 nm. The thickness of the first coating layer 4 and the thickness of the second coating layer 5 need not be the same. The thicknesses of the plurality of first coating layers 4 need not be the same, and the thicknesses of the plurality of second coating layers 5 need not be the same. Furthermore, the compositions of the plurality of first coating layers 4 need not be the same, and the compositions of the plurality of second coating layers 5 need not be the same. The compositions, thicknesses, and number of layers of the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 are preferably set as appropriate so that the internal stress generated in the hard coating layer 7 is reduced by multilayering. .

  As described above, preferably, the first coating layer 4 is formed by arc ion plating, and the second coating layer 5 is formed by magnetron sputtering. The hard coating layer 7 is formed by alternately forming the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 a predetermined number of times.

  Examples according to the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the following examples. In this example, a sample having the structure of the member 1B and the member 1C described above was prepared and evaluated.

<< Deposition of hard coating layer on the surface of the substrate >>
[Outline of deposition system]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a composite film forming apparatus used for forming the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 on the substrate. The composite film forming apparatus 100 includes a chamber 10, a vacuum pump (not shown), a gas supply mechanism 12, a stage 14, a heater 16, and an unbalanced magnetron sputtering evaporation source (manufactured by Kobe Steel, model number: UBMS202). ) 18 (hereinafter referred to as “sputter evaporation source 18”), cathode discharge type arc ion plating evaporation source 22 (hereinafter referred to as “arc evaporation source 22”), bias power source 24, sputter power source 26, arc And a power supply 28.

A gas such as Ar, N ₂ , or CH ₄ is supplied from the gas supply mechanism 12 to the chamber 10 in accordance with the film forming process to be performed. Note that MFC1 to MFC4 shown in FIG. 2 are mass flow meters. A vacuum pump (not shown) adjusts the inside of the chamber 10 to a required degree of vacuum. The substrate 2 for forming the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 is placed on the stage 14. The substrate 2 placed on the stage 14 is heated by the heater 16. A sputter target for forming the second coating layer 5 is attached to the sputter evaporation source 18. For example, a sputter target made of Si _x C _1-x is attached to one sputter evaporation source 18, and a sputter target made of element M is attached to the other sputter evaporation source 18. A target made of a metal or an alloy for forming the first coating layer 4 is attached to the arc evaporation source 22.

  A bias voltage is applied to the stage 14 by the bias power supply 24. This bias voltage is applied to the substrate 2 placed on the stage 14. The potential of the sputter evaporation source 18 is controlled by the sputter power source 26 so that atoms, ions or clusters are generated from the sputter evaporation source 18. The electric potential of the arc evaporation source 22 is controlled by the arc power source 28 so that atoms, ions or clusters are generated from the arc evaporation source 22.

  The composite film forming apparatus 100 further includes a filament type ion source 42, an AC power source 44 used when AC heating the filament ion source 42, and a DC power source 46 for causing the filament ion source 42 to discharge. And. Here, the ion source 42 is not used.

[Preparation of Samples 1 to 25]
Samples 1 to 25 have the structure shown in FIG. Table 1 shows the configuration of the manufactured sample. Sputter targets having different composition ratios of Si and C (hereinafter collectively referred to as “SiC targets”) were mounted on the sputter evaporation source 18. A target made of TiAl was attached to the arc evaporation source 22. As the substrate 2, a mirror-finished substrate made of cemented carbide (JIS-P type) and the same cemented carbide ball end mill (two blades, diameter: φ10 mm) were used. These were placed on the stage 14. As the SiC target, Si _0.3 C _0.7 is used for sample 1, Si _0.4 C _0.6 is used for sample 2, and Si _0.5 C _0.5 is used for samples 3 and 6 to 25. 4, Si _0.6 C _0.4 is used, and Sample 5 uses Si _0.7 C _0.3 .

After the inside of the chamber 10 was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Pa or less, the substrate 2 was heated to 550 ° C. by the heater 16. Thereafter, sputter cleaning (surface cleaning of the base material 2) using Ar ions was performed. Subsequently, N ₂ gas was supplied into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 4 Pa. In this state, a current of 150 A was supplied from the arc power source 28 to the arc evaporation source 22 in order to generate arc discharge. Thus, a TiAlN film layer as the first coating layer 4 was formed on the surface of the substrate 2.

In the case of Samples 1 to 21, after the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas was introduced into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 0.6 Pa. In the case of samples 22 to 25, after the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas and N ₂ gas were supplied into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure became 0.6 Pa. Magnetron sputtering was performed at the bias voltage (bias voltage applied to the base material 2) and temperature (temperature of the base material 2) shown in the column of “film formation conditions” in Table 1. Thus, the second coating layer 5 (see Table 1 for the composition) having a thickness of about 3 μm was formed on the first coating layer 4. In addition, the composition of the second coating layer 5 shown in Table 1 is a composition analysis value by EDX which will be described later.

[Preparation of Samples 26 to 47]
Samples 26 to 47 have the structure shown in FIG. Table 2 shows the configuration of the manufactured sample. An SiC target (Si _0.5 C _0.5 ) was mounted on one sputter evaporation source 18. The other sputter evaporation source 18 was equipped with a target made of the element M constituting the second coating layer 5 (see Table 2) in accordance with the target composition of the second coating layer 5 each time. A target made of TiAl was attached to the arc evaporation source 22. As the substrate 2, a mirror-finished substrate made of cemented carbide (JIS-P type) and the same cemented carbide ball end mill (two blades, diameter: φ10 mm) were used. These were placed on the stage 14.

After the inside of the chamber 10 was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Pa or less, the substrate 2 was heated to 550 ° C. by the heater 16. Thereafter, sputter cleaning using Ar ions was performed. Next, N ₂ gas was supplied to the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 4 Pa. In this state, a current of 150 A was supplied from the arc power source 28 to the arc evaporation source 22 in order to generate arc discharge. Thus, a TiAlN film layer as the first coating layer 4 was formed on the surface of the substrate 2.

In the case of samples 26 to 43, after the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas was introduced into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 0.6 Pa. In the case of processing samples 44 to 47, after the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas and N ₂ gas were supplied into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure became 0.6 Pa. Magnetron sputtering was performed at the bias voltage and temperature shown in the column of “Film formation conditions” in Table 2. Thus, the second coating layer 5 (see Table 2 for the composition) having a thickness of about 3 μm was formed on the first coating layer 4. In addition, the composition of the 2nd film layer 5 shown by Table 2 is a composition analysis value by EDX mentioned later.

[Preparation of Samples 48 to 61]
Samples 48 to 61 have the structure shown in FIG. Table 3 shows the configuration of the manufactured sample. A SiC target was mounted on the sputter evaporation source 18. A target made of a metal or alloy shown in the column of “first coating layer-composition” in Table 3 was appropriately attached to the arc evaporation source 22. As the substrate 2, a mirror-finished substrate made of cemented carbide (JIS-P type) and the same cemented carbide ball end mill (two blades, diameter: φ10 mm) were used. These were placed on the stage 14.

After the inside of the chamber 10 was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Pa or less, the substrate 2 was heated to 550 ° C. by the heater 16. Thereafter, sputter cleaning using Ar ions was performed. Next, N ₂ gas was supplied to the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 4 Pa. In this state, a current of 150 A was supplied from the arc power source 28 to the arc evaporation source 22 in order to generate arc discharge. Thus, the first coating layer 4 made of nitride, carbonitride or carbide shown in Table 3 was formed on the surface of the substrate 2. After the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas was introduced into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 0.6 Pa. Magnetron sputtering was performed with a bias voltage of −80 V and the temperature of the substrate 2 of 550 ° C., and an SiC film layer having a thickness of about 3 μm was formed as the second film layer 5 on the first film layer 4. In addition, the composition of the 2nd membrane | film | coat layer 5 shown by Table 3 is a composition analysis value by EDX mentioned later, and was the same as the composition of a SiC target.

[Production of Samples 62 to 75]
Samples 62 to 75 have the structure shown in FIG. Table 4 shows the configuration of the manufactured sample. A SiC target was mounted on the sputter evaporation source 18. Various targets of metal or alloy shown in the column of “first coating layer-lowermost layer” and the column of “first coating layer-intermediate layer-composition” in Table 4 are appropriately attached to the arc evaporation source 22. It was. As the substrate 2, a mirror-finished substrate made of cemented carbide (JIS-P type) and the same cemented carbide ball end mill (two blades, diameter: φ10 mm) were used. These were placed on the stage 14.

After the inside of the chamber 10 was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Pa or less, the substrate 2 was heated to 550 ° C. by the heater 16. Thereafter, sputter cleaning using Ar ions was performed. In this state, a current of 150 A was supplied from the arc power source 28 to the arc evaporation source 22 in order to generate arc discharge. Thus, a TiAlN film layer was formed on the surface of the substrate 2 as the lowermost layer of the first coating layer 4. After the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas was introduced into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 0.6 Pa. Magnetron sputtering is performed with a bias voltage of −80 V and the temperature of the substrate 2 of 550 ° C., and an SiC film layer having a thickness shown in the column of “Second coating layer” in Table 4 is formed on the previously formed TiAlN film layer. Was formed as the second coating layer 5.

  Subsequently, the nitride, carbonitride, or carbide shown in the column of “first coating layer-intermediate layer” in Table 4 was formed on the formed SiC film layer. The intermediate layer was formed under the same conditions as when the TiAlN film layer was formed as the lowermost layer of the first coating layer 4. Thereafter, the formation of the SiC film layer as the second coating layer 5 and the formation of the intermediate layer were repeated until the total film thickness became 3 μm. Thus, a hard coating layer 7 having a multilayer structure was formed. In addition, the composition of the 2nd membrane | film | coat layer 5 shown by Table 4 is a composition analysis value by EDX mentioned later, and was the same as the composition of a SiC target.

<< Evaluation of Sample >>
[Evaluation of hardness and Young's modulus of formed hard coating layer]
The hardness and Young's modulus of the hard coating layer 6 formed on the samples 1 to 47 and the hard coating layer 7 formed on the samples 62 to 75 were determined by the nanoindentation method. Here, the measurement method and the calculation method based on the international standard (ISO14577-1 to ISO14577-4) regarding nanoindentation were used. For nanoindentation measurement, a diamond Berkovich indenter is used, and the maximum indentation load is adjusted so that the indentation depth is 1/10 or less of the thickness of the hard coating layers 6 and 7 to be measured. It was done. The hardness calculated | required here is HIT (indentation hardness) prescribed | regulated to ISO. The measurement results are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 4. In addition, about the samples 48-61, the hardness and Young's modulus of the hard film layer 6 are not calculated | required.

[Composition analysis of the formed second coating layer]
About each sample, the composition of the 2nd membrane | film | coat layer 5 formed in the board | substrate used as the base material 2 was measured with the energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The measurement results are shown in Tables 1 to 4, respectively.

[Determination of crystallinity of the formed second coating layer]
For each sample, the crystallinity of the second coating layer 5 formed on the substrate used as the base material 2 is determined by X-ray diffraction (Cukα ray, 40 kV-40 mA, θ-2θ, divergence slit 1 °, divergence longitudinal restriction slit). 10 mm, scattering slit 1 °, light receiving slit 0.15 mm, monochrome light receiving slit 0.8 mm). FIG. 3 shows an X-ray diffraction pattern of a typical crystalline SiC (cubic) film. The second coating layer 5 has an SiC peak (denoted as SiC in FIG. 3) whose diffraction angle (2θ) is observed around 35 ° (34 to 36 °) in the X-ray diffraction pattern, and the half-value width is 3 ° or less. In some cases it was judged to be crystalline. In addition, although the peak of crystalline SiC (cubic crystal) appears in the vicinity of 35 °, when the full width at half maximum is 2 ° or more and 3 ° or less, the second coating layer 5 is made of crystalline SiC (cubic) and amorphous. It is defined that high-quality SiC exists and forms a composite structure, and this is included in the crystalline structure. On the other hand, when the half width exceeded 3 °, it was defined as amorphous. In the XRD chart shown in FIG. 3, the peaks of the WC—Co as the base material 2 and the TiAlN film formed as the first coating layer 4 also appear.

[Evaluation of adhesion of hard coating layer]
About samples 48-75, the adhesiveness of the hard film layers 6 and 7 formed in the board | substrate used as the base material 2 was evaluated by the scratch test. This scratch test was performed by moving a diamond indenter of 200 μmR at a load increase speed of 100 N / min and an indenter moving speed of 10 mm / min. As the critical load value, a critical load by frictional force was adopted. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

[Abrasion Resistance Evaluation-First Cutting Test]
Ball end mills having respective coatings of sample numbers 1 to 75 were prepared, and a cutting test was performed under the conditions described below. After the test, the wear region length of the hard coating layers 6 and 7 from the tip of the ball end mill was measured, and when this length was 100 μm or more, it was judged that the wear resistance was unacceptable. The test results after the test are shown in Tables 1 to 4, respectively.
Work material: SKD61 (HRC50)
Cutting speed: 220 m / min Blade feed: 0.06 mm / blade Axial cut: 5 mm
Radial notch: 0.6mm
Cutting length: 100m
Cutting environment: Down cut, dry atmosphere (air blow only)

"Test results"
[Samples 1 to 25]
In Sample 1, since the Si amount x was less than 0.4, the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In Sample 5, since the Si amount x exceeded 0.6, the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In Sample 6, since the bias voltage at the time of forming the second coating layer 5 was set to 0 V, the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In sample 12, since the bias voltage at the time of forming the second coating layer 5 was set to −400 V, the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In Sample 13, since the temperature of the base material 2 when the second coating layer 5 was formed was as low as 200 ° C., the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In sample 14, since the temperature of the base material 2 at the time of film formation of the second coating layer 5 was as low as 300 ° C., the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In sample 25, since the atomic ratio y of N exceeded 0.1, the second coating layer 5 became amorphous. In these samples, as shown in Table 1, the hardness of the second coating layer 5 was as small as less than 30 GPa and the wear amount was 100 μm or more. Further, in sample 21, the temperature of the base material 2 at the time of forming the second coating layer 5 was as high as 800 ° C., so that the base material 2 was thermally deteriorated. From these results, these samples were judged as comparative examples not belonging to the present invention, and other samples were judged as examples as shown in Table 1.

[Samples 26 to 47]
In sample 30, since the atomic ratio z of the element M contained in the second coating layer 5 exceeded 0.2, the hardness of the second coating layer 5 was reduced to 31 GPa and the wear amount was 100 μm or more. The hardness of the second coating layer 5 in the examples shown in Table 1 is 36 to 44 GPa, but the hardness of the second coating layer 5 in the samples 26 to 29 and 31 to 47 is 43 to 50 GPa. Thus, it was confirmed that the hardness of the second coating layer 5 tends to be increased by the addition of the element M, and the wear amount was suppressed to 43 μm or less. From these results, the sample 30 was determined as a comparative example, and samples other than the sample 30 were determined as examples as shown in Table 1.

[Samples 48 to 61]
As shown in Table 3, Samples 48 to 61 were judged as examples. When the samples 51 to 57 are compared, if the thickness of the first coating layer 4 is 2 to 5 μm, the critical load is large and the wear amount is small. As the thickness of the first coating layer 4 became thinner than 2 μm, the tendency for the adhesiveness to decrease appeared. This is because the base material 2 may not be completely covered when the thickness of the first coating layer 4 is thin due to surface roughness and defects of the base material 2. Moreover, when the thickness of the 1st coating layer 4 exceeded 5 micrometers, the tendency for adhesiveness to fall appeared. This is because, when the layer having low hardness is relatively thick with respect to the second film layer 5 having high hardness, deformation or breakage occurs inside the first film layer 4 as the base, and as a result, the second film layer This is because 5 may peel off. From Table 3, when Al is contained as a component in the 1st membrane | film | coat layer 4, it can confirm that abrasion resistance is favorable.

[Samples 62 to 75]
As shown in Table 4, Samples 62 to 75 were judged as examples. The hardness of the second coating layer 5 in the examples shown in Table 1 is 36 to 44 GPa, but the hardness of the hard coating layer 7 having the multilayer structure of the samples 62 to 75 is 45 to 50 GPa. It was confirmed that the hardness was improved by forming the first coating layer 4 and the second coating layer 5 into a multilayer structure.

<< Second cutting test >>
Inserts (model: CNMG 120408 TF, ADCT 1505 PDFR) made of cemented carbide (materials will be described later) were used as the base material 2, and these were set in the chamber 10. After the inside of the chamber was depressurized to 1 × 10 ⁻³ Pa or less, the substrate 2 was heated to 550 ° C. by the heater 16. Thereafter, sputter cleaning using Ar ions was performed. In this state, to generate arc discharge, a current of 150 A is supplied from the arc power source 28 to the arc evaporation source 22, and thus a TiAlN film layer of about 1 μm is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 as the first coating layer 4. Formed in the lower layer. After the N ₂ gas in the chamber 10 was exhausted, Ar gas was introduced into the chamber 10 so that the internal pressure was 0.6 Pa. Magnetron sputtering is performed with a bias voltage of −80 V and the temperature of the substrate 2 of 600 ° C., and a SiC (Si _0.5 C _0.5 ) film layer of about 3 μm is formed on the TiAlN film layer as the second film layer 5. It was done. The insert thus produced is hereinafter referred to as “insert according to example”. For comparison, an insert in which a 4 μm TiAlN film was formed on the base material 2 (hereinafter referred to as “insert according to comparative example”) was produced. The following cutting tests 1 to 3 were performed using these inserts. The life of the insert was evaluated by the time available for cutting.

[Cutting test 1: Turning Inconel (registered trademark)]
Work material: Inconel 718 (35HRC)
Tool type: CNMG 120408 TF
Base material: WC + 6% Co
Turning conditions: Wet cutting (cooling)
Cutting speed: 25 m / min
Feed amount: 0.08mm / rev
Cutting depth: 1mm

  In the case of the cutting test 1, the life of the insert according to the comparative example was 9 minutes. In contrast, the life of the insert according to the example is 13 minutes, which is about 1.44 times the life of the insert according to the comparative example.

[Cutting test 2: Turning hardened stainless steel]
Work material: D2 (62HRC)
Tool type: CNMG 120408 TF
Base material: WC + 6% Co
Turning conditions: Wet cutting (cooling)
Cutting speed: 40 m / min
Feed amount: 0.15 mm / rev
Cutting depth: 0.3 mm

  In the case of the cutting test 2, the life of the insert according to the comparative example was 8 minutes. In contrast, the life of the insert according to the example is 14 minutes, which is about 1.75 times the life of the insert according to the comparative example.

[Cutting test 3: Milling of stainless steel]
Work material: AISI 316
Tool type: ADCT 1505 PDFR
Base material: WC + 12% Co
Turning conditions: Dry cutting Cutting speed: 120 m / min
Feed amount: 0.12 mm / rev
Cutting depth: 4 mm

  In the case of the cutting test 3, the life of the insert according to the comparative example was 34 minutes. In contrast, the life of the insert according to the example was 53 minutes, which was about 1.56 times the life of the insert according to the comparative example.

(A) is a schematic sectional drawing of the member provided with the hard film layer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the schematic cross section of the member provided with the hard film layer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure and (c) is a schematic sectional drawing of the member provided with the hard film layer based on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of a composite film-forming apparatus. 3 is an XRD chart of a sample in which a TiAlN film and a cubic SiC film are formed on the surface of a substrate made of a cemented carbide.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C Member 2 Base material 3 Hard coating layer (single layer structure)
4 First coating layer 5 Second coating layer 6 Hard coating layer (two-layer structure)
7 Hard coating layer (multilayer structure)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Chamber 12 Gas supply mechanism 14 Stage 16 Heater 18 Sputter evaporation source 22 Arc evaporation source 24 Bias power supply 26 Sputter power supply 28 Arc power supply 100 Composite film-forming apparatus

Claims (7)

A hard coating layer formed by a PVD method and covering a predetermined substrate,
Si and C are essential components, and element M [one or more elements selected from Group 3A, Group 4A, Group 5A, Group 6A, B, Al, and Ru] and N are selected. As an ingredient,
Having a composition of Si _x C _1-xy-Z N _y M _z (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2),
A hard coating layer having a half-value width of SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° when X-ray diffraction is performed using CuKα rays is 3 ° or less. 2. The hard coating layer according to claim 1, wherein a crystal structure of the Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z belongs to a cubic system. It is formed by a PVD method and has a structure in which at least one first coating layer and at least one second coating layer are alternately laminated, and the first coating layer is formed on the surface of a predetermined substrate. A hard coating layer covering the substrate,
The first coating layer contains one or more elements selected from Group 4A elements, 5A group elements and 6A group elements as essential components, and one or more elements selected from Group 3A elements, Si, Al and B Consisting of nitrides, carbonitrides or carbides containing
The second coating layer contains Si and C as essential components, and one or more elements selected from the elements M [3A group element, 4A group element, 5A group element, 6A group element, B, Al and Ru. Element] and N as selective components, Si _x C _1-xyz N _y M _z (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2) And a half-width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° when X-ray diffraction is performed using CuKα rays is 3 ° or less. Film layer. Si _x C _1−x−z− N _y M _z (0.4 ≦ x ≦ 0.6, 0 ≦ y ≦ 0.1, 0 ≦ z ≦ 0.2, element M Has a composition of 3A group element, 4A group element, 5A group element, 6A group element, one or more elements selected from B, Al and Ru), and X-rays using CuKα ray A method of forming a hard coating layer in which the half width of the SiC peak observed at a diffraction angle of 34 to 36 ° when diffracted is 3 ° or less,
Holding the base material at a predetermined temperature of 400 to 800 ° C., and applying and holding a predetermined bias voltage of −30 to −300 V to the base material;
A method of forming a hard coating layer, comprising forming the hard coating layer on the surface of the substrate by a PVD method.   The method for forming a hard coating layer according to claim 4, wherein the PVD method is a magnetron sputtering method.   Before forming the hard coating layer, one or more elements selected from Group 4A elements, Group 5A elements and Group 6A elements are essential components, and selected from Group 3A elements, Si, Al and B The hard coating layer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein another hard coating layer made of nitride, carbonitride, or carbide containing one or more selected elements as a selective component is formed. Forming method.   The method of forming a hard coating layer according to claim 6, wherein the film formation of the another hard coating layer and the film formation of the hard coating layer are alternately performed a plurality of times.

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